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GIFFORD — Deputies were reviewing surveillance footage for leads after vandals destroyed a sign and smeared a white adhesive over a county historical marker, monument and bench at the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center over the weekend. Most of the damage had been cleaned or removed by Tuesday afternoon.

“It is an active criminal mischief case,” said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Eric Flowers said the vandalism – which included the names of Victor Hart Sr. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being smeared over – was completely unacceptable.

“The Gifford community has worked so hard to establish these monuments and memorials,” Flowers said. “Our team is committed to finding out who did this crime and holding them accountable.”

Deputies believe the incident occurred sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning on the museum property located at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2880 45th Street in Gifford. The vandalism comes a few days before Juneteenth, a national holiday on the weekend of June 19 that observes the end of slavery in the U.S.

“It is disheartening to see such disrespect for property representing our shared heritage in the community. I don’t want to think this has anything to do with Juneteenth,” said Jonnie Mae Perry, executive director of the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center. “Museums exist to preserve history. Vandalism imposes unnecessary financial costs to us.”

The monetary value in damages was not immediately available.

Deputies said an unknown person damaged a red and white sign that read “Gifford Historical Museum & Cultural Center.”

The vandal also placed a white adhesive, or glue, on a historical marker that stands near the corner of 45th Street and 28th Court. The historical marker, with the title “Gifford Community,” tells the story of the origins of Gifford.

The white adhesive was also placed on a small monument and bench dedicated to the late Victor Hart Sr., a former longtime president of the Indian River County NAACP chapter. Hart advocated for Gifford to have improved infrastructures, clean water, paved streets, streetlights and stop signs.

“Some kind of white adhesive or glue was placed on the bench. A plastic bag was pushed into the adhesive,” Jaworski said. “It appears their goal was to cover up the name (Hart).”

The monument honoring Hart reads “Victor Hart Sr., in appreciation for more than 50 years of work to build a better Gifford, and a lifetime of effort to help realize the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

The vandal used the white paste to strike out the names of Hart and King.

Victor Hart’s son, Wilfred Hart, said his father’s goal was to unite the community through thoughtful dialog and respect.

“Why would someone want to damage symbols that give thanks to a man who did so much for his community?” said Hart, who works as a community liaison specialist for the School District of Indian River County. “I want to thank the sheriff’s office and Deputy County Administrator Michael Zito for assisting in the investigation and getting the bench and (monument) repaired in a timely manner.”

Deputies collected pieces of evidence, including the plastic bag, for processing at the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s officials will provide additional security at Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration at the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex, like they normally do for most holidays or special events.